Post by Lone Star's Bitch on Aug 11, 2010 23:33:53 GMT -4
Okay here is my quick thoughts.
You have only $6 and two options. Battle For Cetus or Flesh and Blood.
I have both and by far it would go towards Flesh and Blood.
I haven't written a thorough review of these yet but this is what I think.
-Flesh and Blood-
Great start to a story, its 46ish pages long, and formated like you'd expect to be. Plot is great, action is great, its a short read with a cliffhanger but you are left satisfied with somewhat of a complete story (is in three parts after all). Werner does some art for the interior and I like it. Its nice but doesn't try to go all out. Its a nice fit.
The audio I haven't listened all the way through but from what I have it sounds simply great. Perfect to put on a CD and listen in a car. Gives a good old fashioned radio drama feel.
I'd buy this one over Cetus even without the bonus audio.
-BFC-
Okay I liked the idea of making the characters superheroes. I could see it working. I was hopeful, but very hesitant all the same. I was right to be hesitant. 1st issue, the pdf is only 28 pages including the cover and inside cover. That is only 26 pages of story.
Speaking of which, Story- Well if I didn't know the characters I don't think I'd like this that much. It was nice seeing the characters rewritten but Tom really needed to flesh this first part out way more. It was short, half the length or maybe less than F&B.
You might say, "Hey didn't you say that F&B was 48pg (46 if you take out the covers, this count does include interior art)? 26 times 2 is 52, that's over half of F&B!" Read on
You see how this post is formatted? No real paragraphs with indentions? Lines in between each block of text? Well if you like this thats how B4C is! Yeah I think it looks really unprofessional for a book. It can work for the game booklets but if you are really wanting to expand, grow, and really get people interested then you need to make sure it looks good. To me this doesn't and looks lazy. It reads like this even (of course this is my dialogue but I want to give examples )
Thantos: "I say something."
Star Warrior: "Hey what the hell happened to the rest of that space? Like your paragraph wasn't indinted or anything. Shit mines not either! What the hell?"
"It's just there."
Star Warrior: "Whoa wait a minute someone just said something but it didn't have their name in front of it!"
Ghengis Kahn: "Sorry...."
"Hey don't say your sorry you old time galoot! I should have left you back on Earth!"
Thantos: "Dammit who said that?"
Krakan: "Me."
Thantos: "Fuck can't we figure out on a set way to talk?"
"No."
Thantos: "Fucking A who said that?"
"Fucking A yourself you skull faced freak!"
"Ha ha he made fun of your skull!"
Thantos: "That's it I'm kicking everyone's asses!"
SuperNova: "Calm down boys we should all get along. Lets do a little bit of both is that okay?"
Everyone nodded agreeingly.
Oh and she's hot! (Ok now I did steal that line from the book. I had an issue with it in SW internal dialogue description of SuperNova, I felt it didn't belong there and took me out of the story/description. Also made me want to kick SW in the nuts.)
SuperNova: "I heard that! You perv!"
"Heard what?"
SuperNova: "Don't hide with no name before your words, Star Warrior! Eh why bother, Thantos is hotter and the bad boy anyways. Your Nova Blast comes a little prematurely anyways."
(end scene)
Okay granted that was satirical and making fun but yes there are both types of dialogue. Some with names, others without. Now when he does names its all names, and when he does without its all without unlike my above rant, but... Tom needs to get rid of the - Name: - Takes away from the professionalism, and I think is a lazier way of writing.
Throw some, said SuperNova with a worried look on her face. Something....
This like F&B ended in a cliffhanger fashion. However, you just bought the first part of the entire story. This is all just rising action and buildup. Unlike F&B I wasn't quite as satisfied. To me it was Oop someones attacking, Oh we are talking about a project that may give us superpowers, we do it, get powers, practice, start to fight, they fight back, cliffhanger.
No resolution of much of anything. I think part of that problem is with how short it is. Okay I think thats enough for the ebook....
Bonus material the cards!
Okay there are no fronts on the cards like in the wrestling game, just backs with the stats. They are basically the same size but slightly smaller due to boarders resembling playing cards more than the wresling cards. Borders are differently colored but its not nearly as nice of job as GWF 2125 (hate it or love it).
-Differneces from wrestling-
This is only one chart... The Battleground Chart...yup thats right one. Not four like in the wrestling...one, and it only deals with Cetus' terrain.
Power and Agility are inverted (+ is a good thing now!), DEFEATED instead of PIN.
The six cards are neat but I was quite underwhelmed. Basically what you can do with your wrestling cards is get rid of all ratings, except you have to think about what type of (I'll call it Planet Rating) they may have. (A is still better) If you choose one out of the 4 I would choose to use the ring rating or base it off of the Cage somehow (after all these are superhero fights, they are hardcore). Invert their AG and PW, so if someone has a -4 ag they now have a +4 ag etc.
Then imagine their wrestling moves being some type of superhero, power, laser move or whatever.
There you now have the card game. Its neat a lot simpler (with only one chart), but its not going to replace the wrestling game anytime soon.
-What I would have done different-
More battleground charts. Not necessarily have more terrains but something like this maybe.....
SMASH INTO BUILDING CHART
OPEN FIELD CHART
SUPERPOWER CHART
WEAPONS CHART
etc. etc.
This gives more variety much like the into the ropes, turnbuckle, etc. did.
This might be a little rough but here's a boot I did for Batman...
Alright wanted to do one and get it out here.
**Escape into the Shadows - Three times during battle this can be attempted. Roll 1d6:
1-2: Batman tries to escape but the opponent latches onto him before he can get away. Continue fight normally.
2-5: Battman is able to distract opponent with gas pellets and fade away or grapple hook to safety. Batman gathers himself Remove Fatigue Token. Batman has two options: Either return to fight on offense at the level of defense this was rolled on, or Escape into the night to fight a new battle or call in for help.
6: Batman not only gets out of the fight but uses his psychological tactics on the opponent. The opponent gets scared of shadows and doesn't see Batman hit a thunderous blow! Opponent Roll DEFEAT
***Can roll on Battlefield Chart instead (only once per fight)
Haven't had time yet but I'd like to develop a specific Battle Chart for Batman to use in Gotham or other Cities. Since he uses various gadgets and equipment I also want to make a Weapons chart that could be used instead of the Battlefield chart.
NOTE: I added the weapons chart, gave Batman different ratings based off terrain he would be fighting on and did the ESCAPE THING to fit his character.... oh and I added the (lv) (BF) thing too.
If I wanted to expand this game from how it is now I'd develop more Battleground charts and maybe have them lead into smaller charts. I know some of the moves are, Rifle Blast - 3 but hey throw a weapons chart in there!
The one I want to do for Batman will have it where his weapon succeeds or the bad guy will somehow reverse it.
*Sigh* I know this is a lot but I've been thinking about it and wanted to get it off my chest. I thought this would be a better venue to vent it because I don't have all this worded right for the official board to listen to the criticism.
I will buy the next episode of Flesh and Blood.....right now I'm not sure on B4C. I might get the second one but if its much like the first one I probably wouldn't get the 3rd.
And that wraps up this long long message.
You have only $6 and two options. Battle For Cetus or Flesh and Blood.
I have both and by far it would go towards Flesh and Blood.
I haven't written a thorough review of these yet but this is what I think.
-Flesh and Blood-
Great start to a story, its 46ish pages long, and formated like you'd expect to be. Plot is great, action is great, its a short read with a cliffhanger but you are left satisfied with somewhat of a complete story (is in three parts after all). Werner does some art for the interior and I like it. Its nice but doesn't try to go all out. Its a nice fit.
The audio I haven't listened all the way through but from what I have it sounds simply great. Perfect to put on a CD and listen in a car. Gives a good old fashioned radio drama feel.
I'd buy this one over Cetus even without the bonus audio.
-BFC-
Okay I liked the idea of making the characters superheroes. I could see it working. I was hopeful, but very hesitant all the same. I was right to be hesitant. 1st issue, the pdf is only 28 pages including the cover and inside cover. That is only 26 pages of story.
Speaking of which, Story- Well if I didn't know the characters I don't think I'd like this that much. It was nice seeing the characters rewritten but Tom really needed to flesh this first part out way more. It was short, half the length or maybe less than F&B.
You might say, "Hey didn't you say that F&B was 48pg (46 if you take out the covers, this count does include interior art)? 26 times 2 is 52, that's over half of F&B!" Read on
You see how this post is formatted? No real paragraphs with indentions? Lines in between each block of text? Well if you like this thats how B4C is! Yeah I think it looks really unprofessional for a book. It can work for the game booklets but if you are really wanting to expand, grow, and really get people interested then you need to make sure it looks good. To me this doesn't and looks lazy. It reads like this even (of course this is my dialogue but I want to give examples )
Thantos: "I say something."
Star Warrior: "Hey what the hell happened to the rest of that space? Like your paragraph wasn't indinted or anything. Shit mines not either! What the hell?"
"It's just there."
Star Warrior: "Whoa wait a minute someone just said something but it didn't have their name in front of it!"
Ghengis Kahn: "Sorry...."
"Hey don't say your sorry you old time galoot! I should have left you back on Earth!"
Thantos: "Dammit who said that?"
Krakan: "Me."
Thantos: "Fuck can't we figure out on a set way to talk?"
"No."
Thantos: "Fucking A who said that?"
"Fucking A yourself you skull faced freak!"
"Ha ha he made fun of your skull!"
Thantos: "That's it I'm kicking everyone's asses!"
SuperNova: "Calm down boys we should all get along. Lets do a little bit of both is that okay?"
Everyone nodded agreeingly.
Oh and she's hot! (Ok now I did steal that line from the book. I had an issue with it in SW internal dialogue description of SuperNova, I felt it didn't belong there and took me out of the story/description. Also made me want to kick SW in the nuts.)
SuperNova: "I heard that! You perv!"
"Heard what?"
SuperNova: "Don't hide with no name before your words, Star Warrior! Eh why bother, Thantos is hotter and the bad boy anyways. Your Nova Blast comes a little prematurely anyways."
(end scene)
Okay granted that was satirical and making fun but yes there are both types of dialogue. Some with names, others without. Now when he does names its all names, and when he does without its all without unlike my above rant, but... Tom needs to get rid of the - Name: - Takes away from the professionalism, and I think is a lazier way of writing.
Throw some, said SuperNova with a worried look on her face. Something....
This like F&B ended in a cliffhanger fashion. However, you just bought the first part of the entire story. This is all just rising action and buildup. Unlike F&B I wasn't quite as satisfied. To me it was Oop someones attacking, Oh we are talking about a project that may give us superpowers, we do it, get powers, practice, start to fight, they fight back, cliffhanger.
No resolution of much of anything. I think part of that problem is with how short it is. Okay I think thats enough for the ebook....
Bonus material the cards!
Okay there are no fronts on the cards like in the wrestling game, just backs with the stats. They are basically the same size but slightly smaller due to boarders resembling playing cards more than the wresling cards. Borders are differently colored but its not nearly as nice of job as GWF 2125 (hate it or love it).
-Differneces from wrestling-
This is only one chart... The Battleground Chart...yup thats right one. Not four like in the wrestling...one, and it only deals with Cetus' terrain.
Power and Agility are inverted (+ is a good thing now!), DEFEATED instead of PIN.
The six cards are neat but I was quite underwhelmed. Basically what you can do with your wrestling cards is get rid of all ratings, except you have to think about what type of (I'll call it Planet Rating) they may have. (A is still better) If you choose one out of the 4 I would choose to use the ring rating or base it off of the Cage somehow (after all these are superhero fights, they are hardcore). Invert their AG and PW, so if someone has a -4 ag they now have a +4 ag etc.
Then imagine their wrestling moves being some type of superhero, power, laser move or whatever.
There you now have the card game. Its neat a lot simpler (with only one chart), but its not going to replace the wrestling game anytime soon.
-What I would have done different-
More battleground charts. Not necessarily have more terrains but something like this maybe.....
SMASH INTO BUILDING CHART
OPEN FIELD CHART
SUPERPOWER CHART
WEAPONS CHART
etc. etc.
This gives more variety much like the into the ropes, turnbuckle, etc. did.
This might be a little rough but here's a boot I did for Batman...
Alright wanted to do one and get it out here.
Batman (Bruce) | Ht: 6'2'' ; Wt: 210lbs Gotham City; Human |
Level 1 Offense | Level 1 Defense |
1. lurk in shadows - 1 2. intimidating talk - 1 3. jump from shadows - 2 (ag) 4. warning grapple - 2 (pw) 5. BATTLEFIELD* 6. karate chops – 2 | 1. dazed - 1 2. hurt - 2 3. BATMAN - 1 4. down - 3 5. BATMAN - 2 6. hurt - 2 |
Level 2 Offense | Level 2 Defense |
1. karate kick - 2 2. kick, punch, headbutt - 2 3. BATTLEFIELD/WEAPONS* 4. BATTLEFIELD/WEAPONS* 5. jumpkick - 3 6. Batarang - 3 Add 1 | 1. hurt - 2 2. down - 3/ESCAPE INTO SHADOWS** 3. hurt - 2 4. BATMAN - 1 5. down - 3 6. BATMAN - 1 |
Level 3 Offense | Level 3 Defense |
1. Grapple Hook Leg Kicks - 3 2. BATTLEFIELD/WEAPONS* 3. Kryptonite Ring Punch - 3 4. Sleep Gas Pellets - 3 Add 1 5. LEG SNARES (0) 6. KNOCKOUT BLOW (+1) | 1. down - 3 2. down - 3/ESCAPE INTO SHADOWS** 3. hurt - 2 4. hurt - 2 5. DEFEATED 5 6. down – 3 (BF)*** |
*USE APPROPRIATE RATING Gotham and City Terrains: A Other Terrain: B Weapons: A | Agility -- +4 Power -- -1 |
**Escape into the Shadows - Three times during battle this can be attempted. Roll 1d6:
1-2: Batman tries to escape but the opponent latches onto him before he can get away. Continue fight normally.
2-5: Battman is able to distract opponent with gas pellets and fade away or grapple hook to safety. Batman gathers himself Remove Fatigue Token. Batman has two options: Either return to fight on offense at the level of defense this was rolled on, or Escape into the night to fight a new battle or call in for help.
6: Batman not only gets out of the fight but uses his psychological tactics on the opponent. The opponent gets scared of shadows and doesn't see Batman hit a thunderous blow! Opponent Roll DEFEAT
***Can roll on Battlefield Chart instead (only once per fight)
Haven't had time yet but I'd like to develop a specific Battle Chart for Batman to use in Gotham or other Cities. Since he uses various gadgets and equipment I also want to make a Weapons chart that could be used instead of the Battlefield chart.
NOTE: I added the weapons chart, gave Batman different ratings based off terrain he would be fighting on and did the ESCAPE THING to fit his character.... oh and I added the (lv) (BF) thing too.
If I wanted to expand this game from how it is now I'd develop more Battleground charts and maybe have them lead into smaller charts. I know some of the moves are, Rifle Blast - 3 but hey throw a weapons chart in there!
The one I want to do for Batman will have it where his weapon succeeds or the bad guy will somehow reverse it.
*Sigh* I know this is a lot but I've been thinking about it and wanted to get it off my chest. I thought this would be a better venue to vent it because I don't have all this worded right for the official board to listen to the criticism.
I will buy the next episode of Flesh and Blood.....right now I'm not sure on B4C. I might get the second one but if its much like the first one I probably wouldn't get the 3rd.
And that wraps up this long long message.